I have hired painters versus paint it myself just so I can itemize the plaster repairs versus painting (which I can't charge for) as I really dislike sanding all their gobs of dried spackle that they actually think fixed the problem.  

Of course if you are willing to put in the time and know the material then my answer is the same as "Should I hire a painter" (Personally I do after my bullheaded self kept looking at that one spot on the ceiling and the lousy edges for years). 

Even though it was just a few minutes each day that stretches out the time to complete the rehab and pushed back the time that I needed before the painter could come in.

In my last rehab the cabinets were a dark wood in pretty bad shape, and I had a painter paint them a light cream color.

Haven't decided if I'll still do the painting or hire that out too if you have any recommendations of painters as well, or someone that can do both.

The ceiling only needs to be protected within the first couple feet of where the shelving is so your basic painters plastic or paper will work just fine.

You can find great painters, flooring installers, plumbers, and more showing you step by step how to do something.I saved at least $300 youtubing how to repair my HE washing machine when it had a specific code error.

@David D Painter and @Jose Hooker thanks for the replies.  

I had a painter who wanted more $ because it was taking "longer than expected".

I have read painters say the best way to “remove” wallpaper is to skim coat with drywall compound.